About IOD Paintable Decor Transfers - What you need to know.
IOD Paintable Décor Transfers by Iron Orchid Designs are similar to original IOD Décor Transfers, but in a material and design that is ideally suited for coloring in. They are so. Much. Fun. And, their versatility makes it possible for you to make your project completely unique. Want to go with neutrals? Want to explode with color? Have it your way!
As always, apply your Paintable Décor Transfer to a clean, matte, dry base. Many people use chalk and mineral type paints on these projects, and they work great. Optionally, when using chalk or mineral type paint, we like to enhance the bonding between transfer and paint with a light coat of universal sealer or something that functions similarly, and allow it to dry thoroughly before transfer application (always take appropriate safety precautions and follow manufacturer’s instructions). When it comes to a good bond, there are a lot of different product related variables, so if you have questions, talk to your IOD stockist and they will be ready to help as they are experts in the paint lines that they carry, and IOD products. PREP. Ensure any recently refinished surface has had adequate time to dry per the manufacturer's recommendation - at a minimum 24 hours, but generally longer the better. Prior to application, protect your Transfer from dust or debris by keeping it with it’s protective backing sheet until applied. Dust will interfere with adhesion. Since we use a special non stick backing to avoid transfer damage from excessive cling, you will need to take care that you keep them together until you apply it. APPLY. Apply your Paintable Décor Transfer to your surface by rubbing with the included tool until it is completely transferred. When you lift the clear sheet to check, if there are any bits left on the sheet, just gently lay it back down and rub those spots to transfer them. Once your image is completely transferred, make sure it is all securely down and burnish with a clean dry cloth so all edges are snuggly adhered. OPTIONAL: At this stage, you can distress with a medium or fine sanding block if you choose. Below is a video showing the basic application using an IOD Decor Transfer. ( * This video does not show the step of sealing the white paint before adhering the Decor Transfer )
Next you can go one of two ways. Route 1) Seal with a flat sealer. Whichever sealer you use, you want it to work with your medium without causing excessive beading. Beading means that it won’t sit still, and it wants to move into little balls. Water based mediums like watercolors, will bead on slick surfaces. Some sealers will cause beading with these mediums, and some won’t. If you choose a sealer that does cause a little beading action with your medium, one option is to counteract that by buffing the dried sealer lightly but thoroughly with a fine sanding sponge (I like 220 grit), to give it some tooth. Alternately, you can use a ground that is specifically designed to mimic a porous surface, like a clear “watercolor ground”, or a clear gesso. I personally like to use the General Finishes flat out flat sealer and most of the time I don’t need to scuff it. The two upsides that I personally like when sealing my transfer prior to tinting are A) I have more open time with the medium so I can more easily blend it or even remove it if needed. it’s more forgiving than a more porous surface and B) It makes the paint and the transfer the same sheen, so they both respond to the mediums the same way. Route 2) Leave unsealed and color in. You don’t have to seal prior to tinting if you don’t want to, and whether you choose to will largely be affected by what medium(s) you are tinting with. For example, if you want to use watered down chalk paint or a really watery medium, it’s easier to control without beading on the surface that has not been sealed (unless you use one of the aforementioned sealers like a watercolor ground which is intended to make a porous surface for watery mediums). Another upside- It’s also one less step. Downside: If you are using mediums that are grabbing quickly, you have less open time and it’s less forgiving. In fact, many mediums move like magic on a sealed surface described in Route 1. Tinting your paintable. There are so many different mediums that you can use with the IOD Paintable Décor Transfers. Some of the qualities that I look for when using them for large pieces like furniture are:
This is by no means a comprehensive list, it’s just a few of the top options we’ve loved so far. When you find new ones that you love, be sure to share with us! After you have tinted your IOD Paintable Décor Transfer, you will want to seal it. IF your medium remains reactive when dry(that means that adding liquid will cause it to smear), then you will need to avoid brushing on a sealer which could smear it. In this case, you will want to use a sprayable option. Even if you do a light misting to set it, and then brush on your favorite sealer. There are so many creative possibilities with Paintable Décor Transfers, allow yourself to have fun and enjoy the process.
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